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5 things you should know about BRAVE program

While authorities continue their battle against high homicide numbers in Jackson that continue to climb, city and county officials have turned to a successful strategy in Baton Rouge they hope will drop violent crime numbers locally.

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5 things you should know about BRAVE program

Hear about the program designed to clean up crime on Jackson's streets

Therese Apel, The Clarion-Ledger
7:40 a.m. CDT July 15, 2014

While authorities continue their battle against high homicide numbers in Jackson that continue to climb, city and county officials have turned to a successful strategy in Baton Rouge they hope will drop violent crime numbers locally.

While authorities continue the battle against high homicide numbers that continue to climb in Jackson, city and county officials have turned to a strategy successful in Baton Rouge they hope will drop violent crime numbers locally. BRAVE, which stands for Baton Rouge Area Violence Elimination, is a partnership of the Hinds County Sheriff's Department, the Jackson Police Department, Mayor Tony Yarber's office, Jackson State University and other groups and faith-based organizations. Officials are optimistic that BRAVE may be what it takes to begin to clean up the streets of Jackson.

Here's five things you need to know about BRAVE:

1. It puts police and gang or criminal group leaders in a room together.

In Baton Rouge, District Attorney Hillar Moore's office hand-delivers letters to gang or crime group leaders inviting them to a meeting known as a "call in" while assuring them they will not be arrested. In the meeting, they are told that the next time a murder occurs and a member of their group is responsible, whatever warrants or indictments are outstanding on all the members of their group will become top priority and they will all be taken to jail. Word spreads quickly.

3. In its first year in Baton Rouge, BRAVE dropped the homicide rate 20 percent.

According to The Baton Rouge Advocate, East Baton Rouge Parish recorded 83 homicides in 2012, which was on par with killings seen in Jackson for several years prior to that. Then, in 2013, during the first full year of BRAVE, the number dropped to 66, according to The Advocate's figures.

4. It takes a village.

In Baton Rouge, the program is held together by not only law enforcement organizations, but also by community leaders in churches, civic organizations and schools. In order for BRAVE to be successful, it takes the community buying in and donating time and services.

5. BRAVE is aimed primarily at the community's youth.

Investigations and statistics show juvenile offenders wind up committing most violent crimes. BRAVE is intended to reduce youth violence, gun offenses and arrests, while involving the community to help spread the "no violence" message.